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So.. after months and months of silence.. finally I have the will to continue on blogging on the side of Bat's world.

Been thru a lot this year.. Yah, I prefer to remember only the good memories & sweet moments. Started something, ended something, keep struggling on things.. wow.. as this year almost ends, I figure out that this is a year of a new beginnning and continuum of all the good things I have started since few years ago.

MAJESTICA, yes.. sounds Majestic isn't it ? This is my current band and always will be. Formed in last June, and I devoted my soul to this. Forming MAJESTICA was a big decision for me as I've been bandless for more than 10 years (Ya,.. the guy who played only in his bedroom, practice like hell, covering few song and posted them to youtube, then expecting comments or if got luckier got some cool offer from those big names in the music scene).. Mentally I am fully ready for MAJESTICA. It would mean time and discipline commitment. For this, I don't want them to end. let it be forever by God's will.

Yah, lucky me to have a very cool family in the band. I invited Roxas as our bass player. I can say that he is a beginner in music. With no proper music basic but I saw his willing to learn and commitment and these are the traits of a good bandmate. So, he's officially in on jan 2011. Then, he introduced me to a drummer, Mr. Entalai.. a very talented metal drummer. We have few great jam session as 3 piece band. but things were not going well where in Feb 2011, all of our studio equipment been stolen by some &**&^@#$ gang. they got caught but the stolen items were not returned until May 2011. by May, I've not been in contact with Entalai.. didn't know if he's still around.. we didn't met for months.. and I said to myself, it's time for a new drummer.

So, one sunny afternoon, I went to Zoso music to buy some guitar strings and met Boyzt. From the first time we met, we just talked and talked nothing else but music. I found out that he's a very good guitarist at first... Then for the nest few days, we met and talked about music things and I told him that I was looking for a drummer. Lucky for me, he was a drummer for a local reputable music band (Primetime).. he can play like craze on guitar and he's also a good drummer??? oh wow... then he offered himself to be part of the band. I was smiling and yess, this is it. he joined us in June 2011. Very important asset for the family.

oh.. I forgot on the band's name. MAJESTICA was not the original name. The first name I came out with was 'Majestic portrait'... then changed it to 'Soundcampers' (Sound lame isn;t it?).. then 'Portrait of Grace'.. and Finally Majestica. We felt that the other names was too long or a bit lame.. :P

Then I met our precious vocalist on Facebook. She was introduced by a friend. Accompanied by a strongwill to look for a talented and passionate musician/vocal as a familyu member, I (who were at that time, was a total stranger to her) sent a private message to Maloney Andrea Apaiterik. As expected, she was surprised and kind of blur.. what is this? a stranger send you a pm and want you to sing.. hehe.. a bit odd.. but by god's willing, we managed to contact each other and I brought everyone to met at Fifteen cafe, just below Zoso music.. On our first meeting, I took all the chances and the best of me to explain and share the band's vision. That this is not just a normal gig band.. the missions.. etc.. and it went... well :D

So, the four of us.. MAJESTICAN.. had our first jam in June 2011. We jam few times, trying to find and stabilized the chemistries among us. The band was blessed by its committed members. Discipline.

Then.. I met Umpok (Keyboardist). He bring along his friend Atien who is now our 2nd guitarist, and this guy really rocks! Riffing part, he's the man! Our vocalist then, brought Lyssa, a very talented young girl to join as a vocalist/acoustic guitarist.. Hey..! didn't I mentioned Maloney can play very well too on guitar ? I guess I forgot.. :P She can play damn good too.

Ok, by this time there are 7 of us. We had great jam. We composed our very first song, Tua Selama Ya, a slow rocking song. (Which I like very much).. Then came August.. the band practice routine was great.. MAJESTICA was invited for the opening act for a local Rock icon band (MASTERPIECE). It was a total honour. Thanks a million to them for the opportunity. We almost didn't make it due to some problem. Our keyboardist had other agendas and only last minute he changed plan, and there we went.. the show was a total blast. our first original song was heard and the crowd really enjoy it. We had fun.. we had a great moment rocking at telai Belali in August as MAJESTICA. Other performing band was the awesome HEVANCE! they are super cool & they are also celebrity, recording artists!

Time flies.. and yah.. it's October.. My lovely wife (Jessica) is now counting days.. by the time of blogging this, her due date is 4 more days. I'm so anxious, with mixed crazy feelings, can't wait to meet ouor first child, a princess.. Daddy welcome you with lots of love.. lots of music.. lots of awaiting adventures and supercool journeys.. See ya soon Kiera.. And to lovely wife, thanks for everything.. thanks for bearing the 9 heavy months in weight and difficulties.. but it's a wonderful moment.. watching the belly movement.. choosing song for baby playlist.. shopping for baby's items, room preparations.. oh everything was great.. now.. counting the hours.. awaiting..

M.A.J.E.S.T.I.C.A - Everly Jam Fest 2011 Champion

Right to left: Roxas, Atien, Lyssa, Maloney, Boyzt, Bujang Kesindap

ok.. Last 28th October, we were selected for final round of Battle of the Band in Bintulu. it was organized by the Parkcity Everly hotel.. Everly Jam Fest.. We practiced like hell.. going home late every night, putting all time and endless efforts into our practice hour. It's a big task, it was tense.. it was tiring.. in the same time we enjoyed it.

Oh ya.. we're very dissapointed as our keyboardist couldn't join us for this very important event. he rather choosed to go for the tattoo exhibition in Miri on the same date. By this time, every Majestican wonder.. which is more important to him. everyone was very very dissapointed. And honestly, I don't want this kind of attitude by not putting the band as a priority. I know this mught be harsh and hard to swallow but this is the rule. Band first, then the rest.. If this is unacceptable, then the band won't accept your attitude. We had a talk among band members.. the result is secret. And so we rocked the stage with 2 songs.. A song from the legendary Whitesnake, their new single 'Love will set you free' and our very own original song in Iban Language, Munsang Mirah (This song really kick lots of assses).. The performance was great and........................ ... ..... ......

=> M.A.J.E.S.T.I.C.A emerged as the CHAMPION of EVERLY JAM FEST 2011. We didn't expect to win, as the rest of the finalists were giving their best too. guess that we're lucky to be chosen as the winner. All the hardworks and time pured into the practice hours was worth it. This is a great achievement, everyone was smiling and proud of themselves. We thanks all our family members and supporters as well. it was a very very wonderful moment. Lyssa also joined other contest at the same event for the voice of Everly. And She Won the 1st place! Congrats to her.. Multi-talented band right ? Told ya! We kept the thropy and newspasper cuttings, photo at the Majestic Studio as a monument for this first success.

now.. next step for MAJESTICA.. we had small talk last night about things related to the band. As Lyssa is going to continue her study in December, we gave her a break from the band... it was her decision too to focus on study and for any opportunity as a soloist, she will go for it. Officially, MAJESTICA is letting her go.. it was a sad moment.. but we promised her, anytime she want to rock with us, the door is always open for her as she was now, already part of Majestica's blood. Wishing her all the best in her study and venture. Also would like her to know that, any problems/inquiries/anything bothering her, we will always be here as one strong MAJESTICA, as her family, giving her full support and helps. You rock Lyssa and we knew it. so cayo cayo for your study :) (Thanks to her sporting dad.. He gave a very strong support to us all this time and even gave me a slide for guitar).. Thanks a lot Sir!

Today's 3rd of November.. MAJESTICA will continue its musical journey for this is just a beginning.. We'll make more song.. we have the demo offer from REG Entertainment part of the winning prIze on Jam Fest. Our main focus now is to create more songs.. cool songs for our album. And this would be a Majestic one! Oh ya.. thank to Depha Masterpiece for contributing his touch of gold on a duet song (He will be the guest of honour in this duet - in our upcoming album). So.. wish us luck!

Summary:When you're starting a new business, the last thing you want to focus on is failure. But if you address the common reasons for failure up front, you'll be much less likely to fall victim to them yourself. Here are the top 7 reasons why businesses fail and tips for avoiding them.

The latest statistics from the Small Business Administration (SBA) show that "two-thirds of new employer establishments survive at lease two years, and 44 percent survive at least four years." This is a far cry from the previous long-held belief that 50 percent of businesses fail in the first year and 95 percent fail within five years.

Brian Head, Economist with the SBA Office of Advocacy, noted that the latest statistics are a much more accurate assessment of new business success rates, and that "as a general rule of thumb, new employer businesses have a 50/50 chance of surviving for five years or more."

Better success rates notwithstanding, a significant percentage of new businesses do fail. Expert opinions abound about what a business owner should and shouldn't do to keep a new business afloat in the perilous waters of the entrepreneurial sea. There are, however, key factors that -- if not avoided -- will be certain to weigh down a business and possibly sink it forevermore.

1. You start your business for the wrong reasons.Would the sole reason you would be starting your own business be that you would want to make a lot of money? Do you think that if you had your own business that you'd have more time with your family? Or maybe that you wouldn't have to answer to anyone else? If so, you'd better think again.

On the other hand, if you start your business for these reasons, you'll have a better chance at entrepreneurial success:

·You have a passion and love for what you'll be doing, and strongly believe -- based on educated study and investigation -- that your product or service would fulfill a real need in the marketplace.

·You are physically fit and possess the needed mental stamina to withstand potential challenges. Often overlooked, less-than-robust health has been responsible for more than a few bankruptcies.

·You have drive, determination, patience and a positive attitude. When others throw in the towel, you are more determined than ever.

·Failures don't defeat you. You learn from your mistakes, and use these lessons to succeed the next time around. Head, SBA economist, noted that studies of successful business owners showed they attributed much of their success to "building on earlier failures;" on using failures as a "learning process."

·You thrive on independence, and are skilled at taking charge when a creative or intelligent solution is needed. This is especially important when under strict time constraints.

·You like -- if not love -- your fellow man, and show this in your honesty, integrity, and interactions with others. You get along with and can deal with all different types of individuals.

2. Poor ManagementMany a report on business failures cites poor management as the number one reason for failure. New business owners frequently lack relevant business and management expertise in areas such as finance, purchasing, selling, production, and hiring and managing employees. Unless they recognize what they don't do well, and seek help, business owners may soon face disaster. They must also be educated and alert to fraud, and put into place measures to avoid it.

Neglect of a business can also be its downfall. Care must be taken to regularly study, organize, plan and control all activities of its operations. This includes the continuing study of market research and customer data, an area which may be more prone to disregard once a business has been established.

A successful manager is also a good leader who creates a work climate that encourages productivity. He or she has a skill at hiring competent people, training them and is able to delegate. A good leader is also skilled at strategic thinking, able to make a vision a reality, and able to confront change, make transitions, and envision new possibilities for the future.

3. Insufficient CapitalA common fatal mistake for many failed businesses is having insufficient operating funds. Business owners underestimate how much money is needed and they are forced to close before they even have had a fair chance to succeed. They also may have an unrealistic expectation of incoming revenues from sales.

It is imperative to ascertain how much money your business will require; not only the costs of starting, but the costs of staying in business. It is important to take into consideration that many businesses take a year or two to get going. This means you will need enough funds to cover all costs until sales can eventually pay for these costs.

4. Location, Location, LocationYour college professor was right -- location is critical to the success of your business. Whereas a good location may enable a struggling business to ultimately survive and thrive, a bad location could spell disaster to even the best-managed enterprise.

Some factors to consider:

·Where your customers are

·Traffic, accessibility, parking and lighting

·Location of competitors

·Condition and safety of building

·Local incentive programs for business start-ups in specific targeted areas

·The history, community flavor and receptiveness to a new business at a prospective site

5. Lack of PlanningAnyone who has ever been in charge of a successful major event knows that were it not for their careful, methodical, strategic planning -- and hard work -- success would not have followed. The same could be said of most business successes.

It is critical for all businesses to have a business plan. Many small businesses fail because of fundamental shortcomings in their business planning. It must be realistic and based on accurate, current information and educated projections for the future.

In addition, most bankers request a business plan if you are seeking to secure addition capital for your company.

6. OverexpansionA leading cause of business failure, overexpansion often happens when business owners confuse success with how fast they can expand their business. A focus on slow and steady growth is optimum. Many a bankruptcy has been caused by rapidly expanding companies.

At the same time, you do not want to repress growth. Once you have an established solid customer base and a good cash flow, let your success help you set the right measured pace. Some indications that an expansion may be warranted include the inability to fill customer needs in a timely basis, and employees having difficulty keeping up with production demands.

If expansion is warranted after careful review, research and analysis, identify what and who you need to add in order for your business to grow. Then with the right systems and people in place, you can focus on the growth of your business, not on doing everything in it yourself.

7. No WebsiteSimply put, if you have a business today, you need a website. Period.

In the U.S. alone, the number of internet users (about 70 percent of the population) and e-commerce sales (about 70 billion in 2004, according to the Census Bureau) continue to rise and are expected to increase with each passing year. In 2004, the U.S. led the world in internet usage.

At the very least, every business should have a professional looking and well-designed website that enables users to easily find out about their business and how to avail themselves of their products and services. Later, additional ways to generate revenue on the website can be added; i.e., selling ad space, drop-shipping products, or recommending affiliate products.

Remember, if you don't have a website, you'll most likely be losing business to those that do. And make sure that website makes your business look good, not bad -- you want to increase revenues, not decrease them.

When it comes to the success of any new business, you -- the business owner -- are ultimately the "secret" to your success. For many successful business owners, failure was never an option. Armed with drive, determination, and a positive mindset, these individuals view any setback as only an opportunity to learn and grow. Most self-made millionaires possess average intelligence. What sets them apart is their openness to new knowledge and their willingness to learn whatever it takes to succeed.

Top 10 Traits of Highly Successful People -That You Can Learn!By Philip E. Humbert

We have all read about people who are successful briefly. They win a gold medal, make a fortune, or star in one great movie…and then disappear. Or, there are those like Marilyn Monroe and Howard Hughes who achieve extraordinary success, at the cost of their own lives. These examples do not inspire me!

My focus and fascination is with people who seem to do well in many areas of life, and do it over and over through a lifetime. In entertainment, I think of Paul Newman and Bill Cosby. In business, I think of Ben and Jerry (the ice cream moguls), and a local hardware store owner who is famous for the money he’s give to children’s charities. As a Naval Officer, husband, businessman, politician and now as a mediator and philanthropist on the world stage, Jimmy Carter has had a remarkable life. We all know examples of people who go from one success to another.

These are the people who inspire me! I’ve studied them, and I’ve noticed they have the following traits in common:

They work hard! Yes, they play hard, too! They get up early, they rarely complain, they expect performance from others, but they expect extraordinary performance from themselves. Repeated, high-level success starts with a recognition that hard work pays off.

They are incredibly curious and eager to learn. They study, ask questions and read – constantly! An interesting point, however: While most of them did well in school, the difference is that they apply or take advantage of what they learn. Repeated success is not about memorizing facts, it’s about being able to take information and create, build, or apply it in new and important ways. Successful people want to learn everything about everything!

They network. They know lots of people, and they know lots of different kinds of people. They listen to friends, neighbors, co-workers and bartenders. They don’t have to be "the life of the party", in fact many are quiet, even shy, but they value people and they value relationships. Successful people have a rolodex full of people who value their friendship and return their calls.

They work on themselves and never quit! While the "over-night wonders" become arrogant and quickly disappear, really successful people work on their personality, their leadership skills, management skills, and every other detail of life. When a relationship or business deal goes sour, they assume they can learn from it and they expect to do better next time. Successful people don’t tolerate flaws; they fix them!

They are extraordinarily creative. They go around asking, "Why not?" They see new combinations, new possibilities, new opportunities and challenges where others see problems or limitations. They wake up in the middle of the night yelling, "I’ve got it!" They ask for advice, try things out, consult experts and amateurs, always looking for a better, faster, cheaper solution. Successful people create stuff!

They are self-reliant and take responsibility. Incredibly successful people don’t worry about blame, and they don’t waste time complaining. They make decisions and move on. Sometimes they are criticized for taking this to extremes – Jimmy Carter carried his own briefcase and a President "shouldn’t" do that! Extremely successful people take the initiative and accept the responsibilities of success.

They are usually relaxed and keep their perspective. Even in times of stress or turmoil, highly successful people keep their balance, they know the value of timing, humor, and patience. They rarely panic or make decisions on impulse. Unusually successful people breath easily, ask the right questions, and make sound decisions, even in a crisis.

Extremely successful people live in the present moment. They know that "Now" is the only time they can control. They have a "gift" for looking people in the eye, listening to what is being said, enjoying a meal or fine wine, music or playing with a child. They never seem rushed, and they get a lot done! They take full advantage of each day. Successful people don’t waste time, they use it!

They "look over the horizon" to see the future. They observe trends, notice changes, see shifts, and hear the nuances that others miss. A basketball player wearing Nikes is trivial, the neighbor kid wearing them is interesting, your own teenager demanding them is an investment opportunity! Extremely successful people live in the present, with one eye on the future!

Repeatedly successful people respond instantly! When an investment isn’t working out, they sell. When they see an opportunity, they make the call. If an important relationship is cooling down, they take time to renew it. When technology or a new competitor or a change in the economic situation requires an adjustment, they are the first and quickest to respond.

These traits work together in combination, giving repeatedly successful people a huge advantage. Because they are insatiable learners, they can respond wisely to change. Because their personal relationships are strong, they have good advisors, and a reserve of goodwill when things go bad. And finally, none of these traits are genetic! They can be learned! They are free and they are skills you can use. Start now!